Worrying is a Waste of Time and Energy!

Dick Foth was with us last Sunday morning at Horizon. In his sermon entitled “How Do I Get to Peace From Here?” he quoted that someone had said:

“Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength.”

It might surprise you to know who that someone was and what comprised her history. The quote came from Corrie ten Boom, a woman who was held captive in a German concentration camp. Her faith in Christ sustained her and helped her overcome, not only those incarcerated and agonizing days, but all the days that followed as the tormenting memories tried to make their way into her psyche and cause her to wonder where God was in the midst of all that pain. The loss of years. The loss of friends. The loss of loved ones. Instead of worrying she prayed, and as the scripture says, God’s peace came to her, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything; tell God your needs, and don’t forget to thank Him for His answers. If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will keep your thoughts and your hearts quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7 (TLB)Instead of becoming a bitter old woman bound by her painful history, Corrie ten Boom became a spiritual giant, sharing with all who know pain, that they can trust Jesus, for He is trustworthy. Her joy was contagious and her spirit indomitable because Christ within her was giving testimony of a God who cares and takes the worst of our history to show how He comes through and makes it His story as we trust in Him.So we need to purpose in our hearts to do as the scripture says; Don’t worry. Instead, turn your worries into prayer, for then the peace of God will come and settle your heart down.Oh, by the way, the reason worry is a waste of time is that it never helps. It only hurts us. Most of what we worry about doesn’t happen and the bible says, “Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?” (Matthew 6:27, NLT) So don’t worry, pray, and God will show up and move on our behalf.

“Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.” 1 Peter 5:7